Manchester United skipper Gary Neville has branded the three-match bans handed out to Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes as "shocking".

Rooney and Scholes will both be forced to sit out the Premiership encounters with Charlton, Watford and Tottenham as a result of their dismissals in the recent pre-season tournament in Amsterdam.

While Sir Alex Ferguson has so far kept his counsel on the verdicts, handed down by an independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday, the United boss can hardly be anything other than annoyed given he was surprised the cases even reached the Football Association in the first place.

And Neville has wasted little time in dismissing the outcomes as exactly what he expected.

"It is a shocking decision, absolutely shocking," he told MUTV. "But what do you expect? I certainly didn't expect anything else. We don't look after our own in this country."

With Rooney doubtful for Sunday's Premiership opener against Fulham on Sunday with a groin strain, it could be the middle of September before the England striker is seen on domestic duty for the Red Devils.

United tackle Fulham this weekend knowing a flying start to the new campaign is required to exert any pressure on back-to-back title winners Chelsea.

Having come through 80 minutes of Steve McClaren's first game in charge of England, Neville is hoping to be involved against Chris Coleman's men after finally overcoming a groin problem which has prevented him making a single pre-season appearance for the Red Devils.

"I couldn't have asked for anything more than a chance to play for England," said Neville.

"Hopefully I can get some extra training under my belt and hopefully be ready for Sunday because I am desperate to be involved with the lads."